TOUCHSTONE HOME VIDEO via BUENA VISTA has released four new dvd titles and Good Morning Vietnam is a fine example of how much improvement can be done to an older title.  To begin with, Good Morning Vietnam has been upgraded with Dolby Digital 5.1 sound.   Laser fans will remember the disappointment in finding that the previously announced letterboxed version of this film was packaged as having "5.1" but included standard dolby surround instead.  The enhanced sound mix offered here adds a great deal to the musical soundtrack and enhanced the surround tracks with depth.   Directional effects are used sparingly but effectively.  The picture is generally sharp with fine fleshtones and contrast, and while not as sparkling in depth and clarity as the other titles included in this wave, it's a huge improvement over previous laserdisc versions.

Peter Weir's magnificent "Dead Poets Society" has developed a huge following over the years, and dvd owners will be able to enjoy the director's incredible imagery better than ever here.  The transfer looks excellent with perfect clarity in almost every scene.  Weir uses light and shadow to great affect and viewers will love the incredible sharpness to every aspect of the image.  The Dolby Surround sound is in better shape than its laserdisc counterpart as well.  Our only complaint,...TOUCHSTONE should have included the 14 minutes of extra footage offered in the recent laserdisc version rather than the standard theatrical version.  While it didn't lessen the film's impact or Weir's vision, it would've offered dvd fans the same benefit as laserdisc fans, and TOUCHSTONE showed this same type of wisdom earlier with its "added footage" version of "Pretty Woman." 

Spike Lee's newest film, "He Got Game" has received an excellent transfer with this dvd release.  The soundtrack actually sounded better on this reviewer's home theater system than she remembers it in the theater.  In some ways, "He Got Game" shows Lee's improving as a director.  The sound mix in his previous films, with the exception of  "X", was less than impressive.  Here, it adds great depth to almost every scene.  Denzel Washington is terrific as the father/convict attempting to give an important message to his son in this thought provoking drama.  The transfer is excellent with great depth in even the most darkly lit moments.  As mentioned, the Dolby Digital 5.1 sound is extremely active with great separation.

Robert Redford has directed his first film in 2.35:1 aspect ratio with "The Horse Whisperer" and it's great to see how perfect his image has been kept with this sharp release.  Redford has always proven he has a great eye for composition with his earlier films, "River Runs Through It", "Ordinary People", etc.   But,  the vast landscape of the rugged outdoors making up a good part of this film called for a "wide" image, and Redford has created some unforgettable compositions within this framework.  The fleshtones are excellent, and contrast is flawless! Our favorite moments with respect to his direction come far too early in the film however, and are never fully achieved again.  This is somewhat disappointing in a film that lasts almost three hours.  Still, fans of the book will approve and enjoy the honesty achieved here, in spite of a few significant changes.  The dolby digital 5.1 sound is extremely active and filled with atmospheric effects.